NOVEL NEXT Chapter 022: Marco the Phoenix
Marineford — Marine Headquarters.
Amidst the earth-shaking war cries and explosive sounds of battle, countless voices overlapped and clashed—creating a terrifying, chaotic symphony of war.
The inner bay had become a massive meat grinder.
Both pirates and Marines were merciless—consumed by bloodlust. At this moment, fear and ideology had vanished, leaving only one instinct behind:
Kill.
They fought purely on reflex, hacking down anyone who wasn't an ally—using any means necessary.
With every breath, someone fell.
Hot blood spilled onto the frozen ground, dyeing the blue ice a deep crimson, which then crystalized into shimmering blood-red ice under the cold air.
On the execution platform, Fleet Admiral Sengoku watched the chaos unfold, his expression darkening with each passing moment.
The war had reached a fever pitch in an instant. And this was still just the frontline soldiers…
When the heavy hitters began to move—it would be even more devastating.
The battlefield was so packed with combatants that the ice sheet looked like a sea of heads.
This was, without a doubt, a clash of unprecedented scale.
---
BOOM!
Suddenly, a tremor shook the battlefield.
A colossal Marine Vice Admiral, one of the Giants, leapt down from the wall and landed heavily on the ice.
He swung his giant sword, as large as a ship's hull, like a windmill and smashed it down with a deafening crash.
The attack surged forward, sweeping across a hundred meters and sending dozens of pirate grunts flying.
Roaring, the Giant Vice Admiral raised his sword again, preparing to launch a second devastating strike.
But then—
A figure wreathed in blue flames rocketed in from above.
---
"It's First Division Commander—Marco the Phoenix!"
A Marine recognized him and cried out.
Wings spread wide and wrapped in blazing blue flames, Marco flew straight to the Giant's face. His body twisted mid-air, and his right leg came crashing down—
"Phoenix Talon!"
BOOM!!
The fiery explosion consumed the giant instantly. His anguished scream echoed as he collapsed, rolling across the ice in agony, trying to extinguish the ethereal blue fire.
"I can't let you slaughter my comrades so easily."
Hovering midair, Marco stared coldly at the burning Vice Admiral, then turned his eyes to the rest of the battlefield.
Wherever he spotted a target too strong for a crewmate to handle, he would dive in, unleashing his flames.
Soon, streaks of blue fire flashed across the ice like lightning bolts—Marco was everywhere.
---
"Bastard! You think we'll just let you run wild?!"
On the grandstand, Admiral Akainu clenched his fists and stood with a roar.
Swoosh!
He leapt high into the sky and descended like a meteor, heading straight for the battlefield.
But in that very moment, a streak of golden light zipped past him.
A blur—then a body.
The golden light landed back on the Admiral's podium and reformed into a man—
"What?!?!"
The commanders nearby gasped as Admiral Kizaru collapsed into his seat, bloodied and battered.
Even Sengoku—renowned for his composure—could not hide his shock.
He rushed to Kizaru's side and asked with urgency:
"Something happened at Impel Down… didn't it?"
"That monster couldn't be stopped…"
Kizaru, pale and drained, forced a bitter smile.
---
"WHAT?!"
Sengoku's heart sank.
Could it be… he survived?!
Was it Blackbeard?
---
At that moment—far away, aboard a military warship full of escaped prisoners, deep in the cargo hold—
A shadowy figure crouched in the corner, clutching a Den Den Mushi, whispering into it:
---
Holy Land Mary Geoise — Pangaea Castle, Room of Authority
Inside the sanctum of the Gorōsei, the blond Elder's eyes widened in horror as he received the report.
The CP0 operatives sent to Impel Down…
were all dead.
And worse—
They were killed by a flying, three-headed monster.
A heavy silence filled the room.
The image of that creature—and what it symbolized—chilled each of the five elders to their very core.
---
"Report, Gorōsei-sama—what do we do now?"
"The entire warship is filled with escaped prisoners."
"Should we intervene?"
Intervene?
Impel Down is gone.
What could they do?
---
"Try to guide the ship through the Gates of Justice… take them to the Army HQ. As for the Navy—"
"AAAHH!!"
Suddenly, the call was interrupted by a blood-curdling scream, followed by a sinister laugh:
"Zehahahaha… So there was a rat hiding below deck."
"Who's there?!"
The blond Elder's voice rose in fury.
"Whoever you are, your actions are a direct provocation against the World Government!"
---
"The Gorōsei, huh?"
"Zehahaha… I thought you were just Navy pests. Turns out, I've angered some real big shots."
"But hey… technically, I helped you out."
"After all—Ace? I delivered him to you myself!"
---
"Blackbeard!"
The blond Elder's face twisted in rage.
"What the hell are you trying to do?! You released that thing?!"
---
"Zehahaha… So even the Gorōsei have something they fear."
"But let's get something straight: I wasn't the one who let it out."
---
The room fell silent again.
The Five Elders exchanged stunned glances—none of them had expected that answer.
Because if Ghidorah hadn't been released by Blackbeard…
That meant he escaped on his own.
A possibility they had considered… but never believed likely.
--
"Then why did you go to Impel Down?"
"You must know something."
The blond Elder narrowed his eyes.
The name "Marshall" had long carried a cursed legacy among the D. Clan.
---
"Zehahaha… What kind of Warlord would I be without powerful subordinates?"
Blackbeard offered his explanation, calm and self-assured.
He knew that if he didn't provide at least some answers, these five old demons wouldn't let it go.
The Elders exchanged glances once more, then slowly nodded.
---
"If the Impel Down incident truly had nothing to do with you—"
"Then as a Warlord of the Sea, you are to head to Marineford immediately to provide support."
"As for your crimes at Impel Down… we'll overlook them for now."
---
For now?
Blackbeard smirked in the ship's dark hold.
"Zehahaha… Marineford's a mess right now."
"I could go. But if I'm going to help—"
"We'll need to talk… terms."
---
"Don't push your luck, Blackbeard!"
"We're already turning a blind eye—"
---
"Zehahaha… Ever heard of the Yami Yami no Mi?"
"Does that qualify me to negotiate?"
He interrupted coldly—intentionally revealing a piece of his greatest secret.
He knew these men.
He knew what that name meant.
---
Sure enough, the Room of Authority fell into total silence.
After a long pause, one voice—ancient and commanding—spoke.
---
"Blackbeard… What is it that you want?"
---
"Zehahaha…"
"I knew you'd come around."
"And as a show of good faith—let me offer you one more piece of valuable information…"
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